Aim To investigate the apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma AGS cells induced by cecropinXJ. Methods Human gastric carcinoma AGS cells and human normal epithelial cells GES-1 were co-cultured with different concentrations of cecropinXJ ranging from 0. 01 to 1 000 mg·L-1 for 24 h. MTT assay was used to observe the effects of cecropinXJ on the proliferation of AGS cells and GES-1 cells. The ultrastructural changes of the AGS cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Hoechst staining was used to de-tect cell apoptosis. The changes of intracellular reac-tive oxygen species ( ROS) and mitochondrial potential were analysed by flow cytometery. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and cytochrome C in mRNA level was investigated by qRT-PCR. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and cytochrome C. Results CecropinXJ significantly suppressed the proliferation of AGS cells in vitro (P<0. 05) in a dose-dependent manner, IC50 =61. 19 mg·L-1 , but had no inhibitive effects on the proliferation of GES-1 cells. After treatment for 24 h, cecropinXJ induced AGS cells nuclear condensation, and increased ROS production, disrupted mitochondri-al integrity. The results of qRT-PCR and Western blot demonstrated cecropinXJ could up-regulate the expres-sion of Bax and down-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 , promote the release of cytochrome C and activate caspase-3. Meanwhile, cecropinXJ promoted caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner, and cell death ratio of AGS cells induced by cecropinXJ was signifi-cantly reduced by caspase-3 and caspase-9 specific in-hibitors treatment. Conclusion CecropinXJ can in-duce apoptosis of AGS cells by downregulating Bcl-2 , upregulating Bax and activating caspase-3 , which may be one of its anti-tumor mechanisms.

Objective To analyze regularities in selection of analogous points for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of restless legs syndrome in modern Chinese literature. Three large Chinese databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang database (Wanfang) and VIP Database (VIP), were searched by computer to retrieve literature on acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of restless legs syndrome. A database of acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions was set up. The characteristics of and regularities in selection of analogous points for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of restless legs syndrome were analyzed by use of data mining techniques. Results A total of 107 related articles were included, involving 105 selected acupoints. The main analogous points for modern acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of restless legs syndrome are Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Chengshan and Yanglingquan. The main meridians that the analogous points belong to are the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang and the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin. Most of these acupoints are distributed on the lower limb and the lumbodorsal region. The most frequently used specific points that the analogous points belong to are Five Shu points and lower He-Sea point. Association rule analysis shows that the points that are most highly correlated are Yanglingquan and Zusanli. Attention is paid to acupoint selection based on syndrome differentiation and compatible application of local acupoints.Conclusions Selection of analogous points that have the same or similar indications for modern acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of restless legs syndrome makes acupoint combinations produce a synergistic effect and can improve the clinical therapeutic effect.

Objective To explore association between the changes of myenteric nerve plexus and the delayed gastrointestinal transit in acute necrotic pancreatitis (ANP) rat complicated with hyperlipemia. Methods Atotal of 40 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (normal control group, ANP group, hyperlipemia (HL) control group and HL with ANP group). HL rat model was established by fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks, and ANP rat model was induced by retrograde injection of 3.5% sodium taurocholate into pancreatic duct. Gastrointestina1 transit distance was measured by ink gavage method. The histological changes of cholinergic and nitriergic nerves in myenteric plexus were observed by Karnovsky-Root method and NADPH histochemistry method. Results Pathological injuries were more severe in HL with ANP group than in ANP group (12.8±0.63 vs. 10.8±1.93,P<0.01), gastrointestinal transit was obviously delayed (transmission rate was 27%±5% vs. 38%±6%,P<0.01), the density of cholinergic neurons decreased (4.80±1.23 vs. 5.80±0.79, P<0.05), and the density of nitriergic neurons significantly increased (8.70±0.75 vs. 6.80±1.48, P<0.01). There was a linear regression between changes of cholinergic and nitrievgic nerves in myenteric nerve plexus and gastrointestinal transit (R2=0.531, P<0.01). Conclusion There was significant gastrointestinal motility disorder in the ANP rat complicated with hyperlipemia, which may be closely related with the changes of myenteric nerve plexus.

Objective:Antimicrobial peptides ( AMPs ) are peptides generated in the biological defense system against exogenous pathogens ,which is all important constituent of the non-specific immune system.The immune system can react and sometimes play an important role in tumor control both in animal models and in humans.In this study,CecropinXJ were used in the BALB/c Eca109 cells-bearing mice model.To investigate whether CecropinXJ exert anti-tumor efficiency through regulating immune response when treated with tumor-bearing mice.Methods:The expression of cytokines and DC surface molecules were detected by immunohisto-chemistry and Flow cytometry.Results:The experiment of mice showed that CecropinXJ could significantly inhibit the proliferation of transplanted tumors in dose-dependent manner.There were significant difference between control group and 10mg/kg CecropinXJ group on the volume and weight of tumor ( P<0.05 ).CecropinXJ inhibited Eca 109 cells infiltrating growth in tumor tissue without affecting viscera,and the expressions of VEGF and bFGF proteins were higher than those in the control group .The expression of cytokines and DC surface molecules,the results that,compared with the control group,CecropinXJ could not significantly promote the expression of CD4,IL-4 and IFN-γ,while not involving the expression of surface molecules on DCs in spleen (P>0.05).In CecropinXJ treatment group,TNF-αlevel in serum was significantly higher than the control group ( P<0.01 ).Conclusion: CecropinXJ could significantly inhibit tumor growth in Eca109 cells-bearing mice,and might not be affected anti-tumor efficiency through regulating immune response.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of periodontal flap surgery with the aid of microscope in the treatment of patients with chronic periodontitis(CP).Methods:30 patients with CP included in the study were randomly divided into 2 groups.Patients in the experiment group received periodontal flap surgery with the aid of microscope,while those in the control group received the routine flap surgery.The VAS pain scores were compared 1 ,3 and 7 days after surgery.The periodontal parameters were compared 3 and 6 months after surgery between 2 groups.Results:The VAS pain score in the experiment group was significantly lower than that in the control group 1 and 3 days (P =0.01 7 and 0.004)after surgery;the periodontal probing depth in the experiment group was significantly lower than that in the control group 3 and 6 months (P =0.01 0 and 0.047)after surgery.Conclusion:The periodontal probing depth,gin-gival recession and clinical attachment level can be improved and the pain can be reduced in the treatment of CP patients with the aid of microscope in the periodontal flap surgery.

The incidence of male infertility increased year by year, which seriously affects family welfare and social development. This article reviews and sorts out recent years’ studies on acupuncture treatment for male infertility. The results show that acupuncture treatment has produced a good clinical effect on this disease. Some progresses have been made in clinical acupuncture point selection, operating methods, complex treatment and therapeutic mechanism. The clinical effect and the mechanism of action of acupuncture treatment for this disease have been deeply explored from symptom differentiation and classification, acupoint selection and prescription, acupoint stimulation mode, and combined acupuncture and moxibustion therapy so as to provide new ideas for clinical acupuncture treatment and basic study.

A new method of two-direction counter-immunoelectrophoresis (TD-CIEP and TD-ELACIEP) for detection of specific antigen and antibody of enzyme-dissociated schisto-some circulating immune complexes (SCIC) in infected rabbits and advanced schistosomia-sis cases was reported. Results showed that the detection rate was markedly increased in the enzyme-dissociated sera as compared with that of non-dissociated sera. The levels of antigen and antibodies were found to be correlated to the period and intensity of infection. The detected antigen was solely originated from the adult worm. Comparison of sensitivity of both methods showed that TD-ELACIEP was much more sensitive than TD-CIEP either for detection of antigen or antibodies. Of 54 sera of advanced schistosomiasis cases the detection rate of schistosome antigen or antibodies by TD-ELACIEP in enzyme-dissociated and non-dissociated serum samples was 50 and 25.9%, respectively. Only 9 cases( 16.7%) were COP positive with COP rate^5%. Sera from 25 healthy persons revealed no false positive reaction by either method. The present results indicated that TD-ELACIEP of dissociated SCIC may be helpful in immunological diagnosis of advanced schis-tasomiasis.

Objective To explore the mechanism of self-awareness in the heavy smokers(HS)by using regional homogeneity(ReHo)combined with resting-state functional MRI(fMRI).Methods Thirty HS and 31 healthy non-smokers(NS)matched for age and sex underwent a 3.0 T resting-state fMRI.The data were post-processed by SPM 5 and then the ReHo values were calculated by REST software.The ReHo values between the two groups were compared by two-sample t-test.The brain map with significant difference of ReHo value was obtained.Results Compared with that in NS group,the regions with decreased ReHo value included the bilateral precuneus,superior frontal gyrus,medial prefrontal cortex,right angular gyrus,inferior frontal gyrus,inferior occipital gyrus,cerebellum,and left middle frontal gyrus in HS group.The regions of increased ReHo value included the bilateral insula,parahippocampal gyrus,white matter of parietal lobe,pons,left inferior parietal lobule,lingual gyrus,thalamus,inferior orbital gyrus,white matter of temporal-frontal lobe,and cerebellum.The difference was more obvious in the left hemisphere.Conclusions In HS,abnormal ReHo on a resting state which reflects network of smoking addiction.This method may be helpful in understanding the mechanism of self-awareness in HS.

Objective To investigate the effect of needle-warmed moxibustion on chondrocyte apoptosis and the lubricin protein content of osteoarthritic knees.Methods Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a sham operation group,a model group,a Western medicine group and a needle-warmed moxibustion group,each of 10.Knee osteoarthritis was induced in all except the sham operation group by injecting an aqueous solution of papain into the outer edge of one patellar tendon at the inferior pole of the patella.In the sham operation group the injection needle was only inserted and withdrawn.The needle-warmed moxibustion group had needle-warmed moxibustion applied to the internal and external DUBI acupoints 14 days after the modelling in 2 courses of treatment.The Western medicine group was given diclofenac sodium (15 mg/kg body weight) by gavage on the same schedule.The sham operation group and the model group were fed normally without special treatment.At the end of the treatment,knee cartilage tissue was resected from each group and the number of chondrocytes and the expression of lubricin in the articular cartilage cells were compared.Results Compared with the model group and the Western medicine group,the number of chondrocytes in the moxibustion group was significantly greater and the cells were arranged more neatly.TUNEL staining showed that the apoptosis rate of chondrocytes in the moxibustion group was significantly lower.A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression of lubricin mRNA in the moxibustion group had increased significantly.Western blotting showed that the expression of lubricin protein was also significantly enhanced in the moxibustion group.Conclusions Needle-warmed moxibustion has a positive therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis,at least in rabbits.It can inhibit the apoptosis of knee chondrocytes and promote the secretion of lubricin.

Fornix infarction is a kind of cerebral infarction in special sites with memory disorder as its main manifestation, which is rare in clinical practice. Because the isolated fornix infarction is not often accompanied by obvious positive signs of nervous system, the patients complained fewer symptoms. The related manifestations were mostly provided by family members, which is prone to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. This article reviews fornix infarction from the aspect of anatomy, blood supply, infarction etiology, clinical manifestations, possible mechanisms, and imaging features by summarizing the available case reports.